In Tahoe we’re fortunate to have the mother of all hiking trails right in our backyard. The famed Tahoe Rim Trail is a 165-mile dirt path looping around the entire lake, following the ridges that bound the Tahoe Basin. You can backpack it in its entirety in about 14 consecutive days. But if you don’t have that time commitment, check out any of the eight trailheads with trail segments that range from 12 to 33 miles in length, perfect for a weekend trip. Out and back routes are also available for day hikers.
One of the top locals picks is the Mt. Rose Loop Trail off Highway 431. The 5-6 mile roundtrip hike starts at 8,900 feet and tops out at 9,420 feet. You’ll get picturesque views of Lake Tahoe, the largest alpine lake in the country, and a beautiful waterfall. The Tahoe Rim Trail Association, the volunteer-based organization that built and maintains the Tahoe Rim Trail, has a calorie counter on its website if you need a little extra incentive – the Mt. Rose Loop burns approximately 1,422 calories if you take about 3 hours. That beats the treadmill any day!
Speaking of waterfalls, Shirley Canyon in Squaw Valley is one of the best, if not the best, hikes to view spectacular waterfalls. This 4-mile roundtrip trail starts at Squaw Peak Road and follows Shirley Creek up and over boulders, past waterfalls to Shirley Lake. From there, you can turn around and head back or keep hiking up to Squaw Valley USA’s High Camp and take the cable car down for free (along with the family pooch).
There is nothing more rewarding than taking a dip in crystal, clear waters after a strenuous hike. Five Lakes, accessible via Alpine Meadows Road, is popular for this very reason. A 5-mile hike, on a well maintained trail, has a tough uphill that gives way to some of North Lake Tahoe’s most popular swimming holes, five serene alpine lakes.
If you’re traveling with eager toddlers who want out of the car now! check out the family-friendly one-mile trek down to the historic Vikingsholm Castle on the West Shore. Park at the Vikingsholm Castle parking lot on Highway 89 and then take a dirt path down to the castle, which offers daily tours in the summer. It’s also a great spot for a packed picnic and offers up a sandy beach with fantastic views of Fannette Island, Lake Tahoe’s only island, and scenic Emerald Bay. This path is also stroller friendly.
If you’re looking for music outdoors with a variety of concerts, headliners and festivals then you’re looking for Lake Tahoe’s High Notes. Here’s a look at the summer-long music series, running through September.
Free Weekly Summer Concerts
Tahoe’s lined up free outdoor live performances every night of the week, except Mondays. Check out:
Tahoe City’s Concerts at Commons Beach, Sundays
Bluesdays every Tuesday at the Village at Squaw Valley
Wednesday Music in the Park at the Truckee Regional Park
Truckee Thursdays with live tunes along Commercial Row
Kings Beach rings in the weekend lakeside each Friday
Squaw Valley is also home to the inaugural KT Tribute Concert Series the first Friday of each month with free concerts under the legendary peak of KT-22
Be sure to check out the historic casino corridor where the Crystal Bay Club has free concerts throughout the week, as well as ticketed bands from the Bay Area.
Summer Headliner Events
The summer calendar is also packed with a number of fabulous ticketed musical events held throughout the region. In addition to its popular Shakespeare on the Beach, the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival offers a Monday music series in their scenic Sand Harbor amphitheater. This summer’s calendar is the best of the best with the Reno Philharmonic performing Broadway on the Beach July 18, Mumbo Gumbo August 1 and Jelly Bread August 15.
Right on the picturesque Truckee River, River Ranch Lodge has its annual Summer Concert Series with Zepparella July 22 and Great American Taxi August 4.
The Lake Tahoe Music Festival has long been one of the summer’s must-attend events with a variety of musical performances, including the Blues Traveler July 21, Colbie Caillat August 4 and Michael Bolton August 25 at the Village at Northstar.
In addition to its free events, the Crystal Bay Club brings in ticketed performers, including Delhi 2 Dublin, July 16, that hosts gritty hip hop and electronic beats with traditional Indian influences and Celtic sounds. A locals’ favorite, 80s Dance Party Tainted Love, plays August 13, with the “Avant Cellist” Zoe Keating on August 18.
The Robert Cray Band performs August 13 on the driving range next to the Trout Creek Recreation Center at Tahoe Donner in Truckee. The Grammy-award winning Cray is considered to be one of the most impressive vocalists and guitarists on the contemporary rhythm and blues scene.
Summer Music Festivals
Namaste in North Lake Tahoe this summer with the ultimate in yoga throwdowns as the popular Wanderlust Festival returns to the scenic valley of Squaw Valley July 28-31. In addition to yoga sessions and wellness programs, the event includes the positive vibrations of Michael Franti and Spearhead, the electronic dance party mashups of Girl Talk and the ecstatic chants of Jai Uttal.
Whether you’re serious about stand up paddle boarding (SUP) or just looking for a little funthere are plenty of events at Tahoe to satisfy.
This is the third in a series of four blogs highlighting all that’s SUP at Tahoe. Read the first and second.
Drawing the largest crowds, Tahoe’s “pro-am” SUP events are scattered throughout spring and summer, and heck, even winter.
One of the most well-known races is the 2011 Quiksilver Ta-Hoe Nalu Stand-Up Paddle Classic, August 13 – 14 launching from Kings Beach. Two days of events are for all ages and skill levels and include $25,000 in cash and prizes. New to the Ta-Hoe Nalu this summer is the Ta-Hoe Nalu Stand Up Paddleboard Experience, which invites beginners to learn how to paddle from an elite athlete and then go on a guided tour with them. A $30 fee per person includes demo board, paddle instruction, guided tour, event t-shirt and lunch ticket.
The Tahoe Cup is an annual race series sponsored by O’Neill . Events include May’s Donner Lake race along with the Jam From The Dam, July 9 and the Fall Classic, a 22-mile race from Camp Richardson along the south shore to Kings Beach, September 18. The Jam From The Dam has participants racing from Commons Beach in Tahoe City six miles to the Waterman’s Landing, a new restaurant and stand up paddleboard shop, in Carnelian Bay next to the Sierra Boat Company. Like the Ta-Hoe Nalu, it’s a great opportunity for spectators to demo equipment in a fun and festive environment. Hosted by the Lake Tahoe Paddleboard Association, the Tahoe Cup races are open to professional and amateur athletes.
Additional pro-am races throughout the year include the Thunderbird Run in early June and the Ta-Hoe Nalu SnowFest Arctic Paddle in early March.
For a more relaxed SUP experience at Tahoe consider the weekly SUP series events organized by Adrift Tahoe in Kings Beach. The Thursday night race series is an opportunity for amateurs to challenge each other in a fun SUP setting. The series kicks of June 30 and entry into each race is $5. Additional series events include SUP Yoga, WOW (Women on Water) and Beach & Board Fitness.
This year’s 4th of July at Tahoe is set to be unique, that’s for sure. With a series of fireworks events scattered around the lake at various dates and times you can catch multiple shows throughout the weekend. Or hit the slopes. Yep, late season snowfalls have opened up skiing and boarding opportunities at several area resorts.
Here’s a look at what’s happening this 4th of July weekend:
July 1 – 4: Incline Village takes things to the next level with their traditional Red, White & Tahoe Blue festivities which include patriotic chalk drawing contest, opening ceremonies with a tribute to veterans, doggie dress-up contest, beer tasting and brats, brunch with Shakespeare, firecracker trail trek and free fireworks Monday, July 4 at 9:30 p.m. off Incline Beach
July 3: Squaw Valley’s famed 21st Annual Lake Cushing Crossing, a favorite pond-skimming event, and a free afternoon concert with Big Head Todd and the Monsters at the KT Sundeck
July 3: Kings Beach hosts their annual fireworks display with a free show as well as a deck party celebration at the North Tahoe Event Center, beginning at 7 p.m.
July 4: Sugar Bowl Ski Resort reopens for skiing and riding, but for 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 season pass holders only
July 4: Tahoe City celebrates 65 years of fireworks at Commons Beach with free show at 9:30 p.m., a popular show for families
July 4: Truckee 4th of July Fireworks at West End Beach at Donner Lake at dusk. Tickets are $6/person (in advance only) and are available through the Truckee Donner Recreation and Park District
Travelers are always looking for empty beaches, quiet hotels and a destination all to themselves. In a popular location such as Tahoe that can be a challenge. But there’s a secret. Head to Tahoe during the last two weeks of June and the last two weeks of August to enjoy the area before or after the peak summer season. It’s also one of the best times to take advantage of area deals.
With a good portion of Tahoe’s summer business made up of families, many travelers must adhere to traditional school closings and openings. Traveling when school is still in session gives guests the opportunity to save as many regional businesses eager to attract visitors during this four-week period provide some of the summer’s best values. It’s also a great time for families with children in private schools and track programs to call Tahoe home as their schedules may differ from public schools.
But what guests to North Lake Tahoe won’t be giving up is the spectacular weather. June marks the official start to summer and boating season with highs in the 70s. August is a bit warmer with highs in the upper 70s and low 80s.
What Tahoe-goers will notice is having the lake’s 72-mile shoreline mostly to themselves, as well as the hiking and mountain biking trails and out on the water.
According to Parks Superintendent Roger Adamson of the Tahoe City Public Utility District, their trail numbers along the popular paved Truckee River bike path from Tahoe City to Squaw Valley nearly double in July and early August compared to North Lake Tahoe’s early and late summer periods.
Operations Manager Darren Kramer of Obexer’s Marina on the West Shore, the oldest marina in Lake Tahoe, also sees peak business during the height of summer. “Although we have a handful of clients that launch their boats over Memorial Day weekend, things don’t really pick up until right before Fourth of July.”
The last two weeks in June and August are also marked by a number of special events, including the Tahoe City Wine Walk (June 18) when guests sample at more than 30 wine and food locations overlooking Lake Tahoe. Visitors burn off those calories at the Burton Creek Trail Run 5K, 10K, Half Marathon and Marathon (June 19) along a beautiful challenging trails system within the West Shore’s Burton Creek State Park. The Tahoe Rim Trail Association offers a “Vistas, Lakes and Wildflower” trek (June 25) as part of their summer hiking season along 10 miles of Tahoe’s famed trail. For those that like it hot and spicy, the 3rd Annual Truckee Chili Cook-Off (June 26) at Truckee Regional Park has the area’s best chili cooks competing for top honors.
The last two weeks of August are equally busy with a bevy of events, such as the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival’s presentation of one of Shakespeare’s more traditional plays, “Twelfth Night,” (August 16-21) outdoors and on the beach at Sand Harbor State Park. Tahoe Adventure Company gets guests on the water or trails via a guided kayak or hike followed by a brilliant tour of the midnight sky, called Astronomy Adventure: Neptune and the Distant Gas Giants (August 22), with professional astronomer Tony Berendsen. Squaw Valley USA continues with its free Bluesdays (every Tuesday through the end of August, including August 16, 23 and 30) with national acts on the Events Plaza Stage and “blue plate” specials at village restaurants.
Volunteer vacations are becoming more popular as travelers look for deeper meaning in their lives and adventures. Travelers are also looking to go green and be more environmentally aware on their trips. We can’t think of a more beautiful place to be environmentally aware and volunteer than Tahoe. Can you?
This summer there are some great volunteer opportunities at Tahoe/Truckee area California State Parks. While the parks weren’t on the recently announced closure list of 70 of the Systems 278 park units, the parks budget has been drastically reduced leading to a need to fill some needed gaps. Volunteers for California State Parks not only have the satisfaction of filling service gaps, they are also rewarded with entrance passes to our parks and invitation to volunteer only events.
Here are the current needs:
Vikingsholm Accessibility Escort Docent
The Docent will meet pre-registered visitors at the Visitor Center at DL Bliss SP and escort them, in your private vehicle, down the service road to Vikingsholm. Upon arrival, the docent will provide an accessible tour of Vikingsholm and be available to answer questions and provide visitor assistance. The commitment is 3 hours once a week throughout the summer. Orientation and training session is Tuesday June 15 10-3pm. This is a great opportunity for people wanting to be a part of our interpretive team at Vikinghsolm and provide a much need service to our disabled guests.
Visitor Service Intern (Park Greeter)
The intern will work at the entrance station located on the day use side of Sugar Pine Point SP. Volunteers will provide visitor information about the park, collect entrance fees and assist the staff with other duties. This is a great opportunity for local youth to gain valuable work experience and provide much needed visitor support. The commitment is 5 hours per week throughout the summer. Orientation is Thursday June 23 10am.
Living History Day
On Saturday, July 30 more than 1500 visitors head to Sugar Pine Point SP for the annual Living History Day. California State Parks is assembling a team of over 100 volunteers to help both on the day of event and chairpersons for the Raffle/Fundraising and Volunteer Support chairs. More information on the event.
Garden Restoration Volunteer
Help plant history by assisting to recreate the historic native garden on the grounds of the Hellman-Ehrman Estate at Sugar Pine Point SP. Volunteers may drop by and work with the gardener every Wednesday beginning June 15th. Bring your gloves and knee pads for this drop-in volunteer opportunity.
For more information about volunteering for California State Parks in the Lake Tahoe/Truckee area contact Heidi Doyle or call 530-583-3074.
The esteemed Amgen Tour of California recently picked Lake Tahoe for its 2011 Stage 1 and Stage 2 legs. Although cancelled due to a fluke snowstorm, the Tour has successfully introduced the world to what locals have known for years – nothing beats biking in North Lake Tahoe.
Whether you’re tearing it up via a thousand dollar-plus road bike around Lake Tahoe’s scenic 72-mile shoreline, maneuvering the dirt tracks on a steep uphill to Twin Peaks on the West Shore or kicking it along Incline Village’s Lakeshore Drive with your toddler who has just graduated to training wheels, there is a trail especially for you.
For Lance Armstrong wannabes, locals recommend the Rainbow Bridge route.
“Hands down one of the best rides is from Truckee to Cisco Grove,” said Hardy Bullock, the Elijah Bleu’s race team captain. One of Truckee’s newest coffee shops, Elijah Bleu’s is just as serious about cycling as they are about their java.
“The climb along Old Highway 40 is famous for Rainbow Bridge built back in 1926, its spectacular views of Donner Lake and the 1,000-foot-plus climb,” said Bullock.
Named after an old water flume created in Tahoe’s heyday to provide lumber to Virginia City’s burgeoning silver mines, the Flume Trail is now geared for bikes.
“Lake Tahoe’s Flume Trail may be one of the best known mountain biking trails in the world – and for good reason,” said Max Jones, owner of Flume Trail Bikes, who offers guided tours of the trail, a shuttle service as well as rents bikes and nearby backcountry log cabins to bikers and hikers. “It’s a challenging single track with twists and turns offering up some of the best views of Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada.”
But let’s not forget the kids. Families have long made up the majority of visitors heading to North Lake Tahoe every summer, and the region’s miles of car-free, paved trails makes it easy to enjoy a leisurely ride along the North and West shores.
“One of our most popular rides for families is along the scenic Truckee River from Tahoe City to Squaw V
alley USA, home of the 1960 Winter Olympic,” said Andy Chapman, tourism director of the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association. “A convenient and entertaining lunch spot is River Ranch Lodge, right on the trail, as its outdoor patio overlooks the rafters disembarking from the river. The Olympic Rings at the entrance to Squaw Valley is a great photo opportunity and a nearby park has a fantastic soccer field.”
Tahoe’s guided biking services are also many and give visitors a chance to experience the area’s many and varied trails with professional guides who are also well versed in Lake Tahoe’s history, flora and fauna. Tahoe Adventure Company, based in Tahoe Vista and Truckee, offers one of the best combo excursions.
“Summer in North Lake Tahoe is about the trails and the water,” said Kevin Hickey, owner of Tahoe Adventure Company, who provides a one-day kayaking and mountain biking adventure. “Paddling in the morning along the boulders and hidden beaches of the East Shore and then riding on a downhill dirt trail that same afternoon might be one of the finest ways to experience all the region has to offer.”
Summer officially kicks off in North Lake Tahoe Memorial Day Weekend with the 5th Annual Opening Day at the Lake. This four-day special event is Friday, May 27 to Monday, May 30, and includes celebrations and festivities along the West Shore and in downtown Tahoe City.
North Lake Tahoe celebrates its long winter season with SnowFest, a 10-day carnival and one of the region’s most popular annual family celebrations, March 4-13, 2011.
In its 30th year, SnowFest continues to draw thousands of attendees with the majority of events free to spectators. The annual favorites are back, along with expanded special events, including the Opening Night Ceremonies, Laser Show, Torchlight Parade and Fireworks; Mamasake Extreme Food Challenge for those with a strong stomach; 21th Annual Gar Woods Polar Bear Swim in Tahoe’s frigid waters; SnowFest Parades in Tahoe City and Kings Beach; Sunnyside Luau; the Great Ski Race, an annual cross country adventure; Kings Beach Ice Castle and Lighting Contest; Wacky Winter Human Bowling with snow saucers and inflatable pins; Tahoe City Golf Course’s “Dog Pull”; the Dragon Snow Palace; Dummy Downhill at Diamond Peak in Incline Village; the highly creative and 23rd Annual Snow Sculpture Contest at Tahoe City’s River Ranch Lodge; Special Olympics Polar Plunge at the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe; and the 3rd Annual Ta-Hoe Nalu Arctic Standup Paddleboard Race.
If you’re heading to Tahoe or considering a last-minute trip for the holidays you’ll find plenty to do thanks to a laundry list of festivities and events. Here’s a quick rundown of some highlights, but be sure to check North Lake Tahoe’s event calendar for a complete listing.
Christmas Celebrations
Tahoe City has been celebrating the season since December 1 and continues through January 2 with the Holly-Days Jubilee. Day and night visitors will find festive experiences throughout town.
Santa will be sitting for free photos and cookies at Hyatt Regency Incline Village December 18 from 2 – 5 p.m. and the resort’s chef will have his renowned gingerbread houses for sale.
Olympic Valley, home of Squaw Valley USA and Resort at Squaw Creek, hosts Santa and carolers in the village daily December 18-24. On Christmas Eve, December 24 head over to watch the traditional torchlight parade down Squaw’s slopes, visible anywhere in the valley. The parade kicks off at dusk, about 6 p.m. Santa also hits the slopes (to work off his cookies) at Squaw December 22 – 25 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. and we hear he carves a mean turn. Squaw also hosts snowtubing parties, moonlit snowshoe tours, hot cocoa and s’mores in the Village and more. Get complete details.
Santa’s making the rounds to Diamond Peak as well December 23 – 25 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. daily. He’s also skiing at Alpine Meadows December 23 – 24. Alpine’s Last Chair also has live music and a festive atmosphere both of those days as well.
Northstar-At-Tahoe has a host of holiday festivities December 18 – 24 including s’mores in the Village, live music, daily appearances by Santa handing out goodie bags, Santa letter-writing stations, ice skating, and even non-denominational Sunday and Christmas Eve worship services. Get the complete schedule online. And, if you’re looking for a blowout Christmas dinner check out the extravagant buffet at the Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe.
New Year’s Eve Parties
The Last Chair at Alpine Meadows offers a pre-New Year’s Eve cocktail party from 3 – 6 p.m. with a champagne toast and festivities.
Tahoe Donner Downhill hosts a New Year’s Eve torchlight parade at 6 p.m. Skiers that want to participate, and can ski the course in the dark, can arrive a t 4:30 p.m. to sign up.
Crystal Bay gets hoppin’ with Jackie Greene performing at the Crystal Bay Club Casinoand Tahoe Biltmore offers a variety of specials and parties as well including live music and a champagne toast.
Resort at Squaw Creek’s Magical Memories New Year’s Eve Dinner Buffet at Grand Celebration kicks off at 7 p.m. and includes a DJ and dancing, magician, Comedy Central comedian Rick D’Elia, dinner and late-night munchies and a midnight balloon drop and toast.
There are a handful of parties at Northstar-At-Tahoe including the Fire & Ice Party in the Village with dinner, dancing, ice skating, fire dancers, fireworks and more. There are also shindigs at the Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe in Manzanita and in the ballroom.
The summer calendar is also packed with a number of fabulous ticketed musical events held throughout the region. In addition to its popular Shakespeare on the Beach, the 
Namaste in North Lake Tahoe this summer with the ultimate in yoga throwdowns as the popular 
This year’s 4th of July at Tahoe is set to be unique, that’s for sure. With a series of fireworks events scattered around the lake at various dates and times you can catch multiple shows throughout the weekend. Or hit the slopes. Yep, late season snowfalls have opened up skiing and boarding opportunities at several area resorts. 
Travelers are always looking for empty beaches, quiet hotels and a destination all to themselves. In a popular location such as Tahoe that can be a challenge. But there’s a secret. Head to Tahoe during the last two weeks of June and the last two weeks of August to enjoy the area before or after the peak summer season. It’s also one of the best times to take advantage of area deals.
The last two weeks in June and August are also marked by a number of special events, including the Tahoe City Wine Walk (June 18) when guests sample at more than 30 wine and food locations overlooking Lake Tahoe. Visitors burn off those calories at the Burton Creek Trail Run 5K, 10K, Half Marathon and Marathon (June 19) along a beautiful challenging trails system within the West Shore’s Burton Creek State Park. The Tahoe Rim Trail Association offers a “Vistas, Lakes and Wildflower” trek (June 25) as part of their summer hiking season along 10 miles of Tahoe’s famed trail. For those that like it hot and spicy, the 3rd Annual Truckee Chili Cook-Off (June 26) at Truckee Regional Park has the area’s best chili cooks competing for top honors.
Whether you’re tearing it up via a thousand dollar-plus road bike around Lake Tahoe’s scenic 72-mile shoreline, maneuvering the dirt tracks on a steep uphill to Twin Peaks on the West Shore or kicking it along Incline Village’s Lakeshore Drive with your toddler who has just graduated to training wheels, there is a trail especially for you.
Tahoe City has been celebrating the season since December 1 and continues through January 2 with the Holly-Days Jubilee. Day and night visitors will find festive experiences throughout town.
Squaw Valley USA hosts several New Year’s Eve parties including a 
